Then it's Cody's turn.
He's beside me immediately, pulling me up to kiss him hard. "My turn," he murmurs against my lips.
He positions me on my back this time, spreading my legs and settling between them. He enters me slowly, watching my face the entire time.
"I love you," he says quietly.
"I love you too," I breathe.
Each of his thrusts are deep and hit the right spot. My legs start to shake. His hand finds mine, interlacing our fingers, and there's something about the intimacy of it that makes tears prick at my eyes.
Not sad tears. Just overwhelmed by how much this means. How real this is.
"Come with me," he says, his pace quickening.
I nod, unable to speak, and he reaches between us to touch me exactly how I need.
We finish together, both of us crying out, and then he collapses beside me.
After, the lake house is quiet. It’s dark as ever outside, and the four of us lie in the king-sized bed.
I'm lying between Cody and Theo, both of them close but giving me space to breathe. Beckett is on the other side of Cody.
"Every Saturday?" I ask into the dark.
Cody pulls me closer. "Every Saturday."
I lie there and think about all my Saturday nights stretching forward. Not forever—I'm not that girl, I don't need forever promised. I just need now to be real.
Now is real.
"Same time next week?" Beckett says quietly.
"Same time next week," I say.
Cody's arm comes across my waist. Beckett's hand finds mine. Theo is playing with my hair, staring at me.
I close my eyes.
And I fall asleep.
Epilogue: Adela
Thearenaisfullin a way the practice rink never is.
It’s the playoffs, whatever that means. There are hundreds of people, noise that builds and crashes like waves, and energy that vibrates through the stands and makes the air feel alive.
I'm in the front row. I got here early enough to claim my spot. The pendant sits against my collarbone. I touch it without thinking, the familiar weight grounding me. The book is in my bag. Not because I planned to take it out, just because it goes where I go now.
I watch the teams’ warm-up. The ice is bright under the arena lights, and I can pick out all three of them immediately.
Theo is the tallest. He glides like he’s not moving his feet. He's beautiful out here in a way that makes my chest tighten.
Beckett is steady. Even from this distance, I feel his warmth. I used to mistake it for coldness, but now I know better.
Cody looks good. Really good. He’s back on the ice after months of recovery, moving like he never left. He catches my eye and skates over to the glass.
He blows me a kiss.
